Finding a good pediatric stethoscope is not an easy task. Any healthcare practitioner, particularly one who specializes in the pediatric department, knows that not every medical equipment would work well for young patients. It’s not easy to use some of the equipment that is meant to be used on the body of a full-grown adult. Pediatric stethoscopes ought to have a smaller diameter.
Finding the best pediatric stethoscope that has the right features is not easy. The following pediatric stethoscope review will help you when deciding which equipment to buy.
Choosing a Pediatric Stethoscope
There are a variety of stethoscopes available on the market. However, if you want to find the right stethoscope at the right price, you will have to do a little research. Below are some pointers you can use when looking for the best stethoscope for pediatrics.
Cost
This is one of the main restrictions you may come across when you want to buy a pediatric stethoscope. Luckily, a pediatric doctor will have a larger budget to work with compared to a nurse or student. A good quality infant stethoscope should have all important features and come at an affordable price.
The stethoscope price of the device you buy will mainly depend on its model.
Durability
The healthcare profession is a busy one. Doctors and nurses are always on the go. As a result, their stethoscopes may end up in their pockets or in desks drawers to be out of the way. A good quality baby stethoscope has to be flexible. Moreover, it should function well through its rigorous use without wearing out quickly.
Clarity of Acoustics
The acoustics of a pediatric stethoscope should be very clear. This is because when dealing with children, the examination may be noisy. The doctor or nurse needs to listen to the patient’s chest without straining. If the acoustics are of poor quality, the doctor can miss critical information when making a diagnosis. The earpiece has to be designed to provide comfort and have a solid fit.
Reduce Fear
Most children dread going to the doctor’s office. To them, the offices look scary with the different kinds of equipment they don’t know. The small size of a pediatric stethoscope tends to help children feel comfortable. The chest piece of a pediatric stethoscope should be made of chill-free material.
Pediatric Sizing
To listen to the chest sounds of an adult and that of a child requires a doctor to use two differently designed stethoscopes. The diaphragm and bell of the pediatric stethoscope have to be smaller so that it can separate each internal noise from the surrounding noises. The chest piece should be smaller than the regular one and should not look intimidating.
Interesting and Colorful item for Kids
A pediatric stethoscope should appear like a toy in the eyes of a child. This will make the patients more comfortable in the presence of a doctor or nurse while they are listening to their chest, back and stomach. The tube of the stethoscope should be colorful and inviting. This comes in handy because the child will view it as a toy. In a nutshell, you need a cute stethoscope.
Best Pediatric Stethoscopes of 2019
#3M Littman Classic II Pediatric Stethoscope
The Littmann infant stethoscope is comfortable for daily use and has been designed for smaller patients. The tool comes in a variety of colors, has excellent acoustics and its dual-sided chest piece is chill-free. The bell, diaphragm and smaller chest piece (3.3cm) are of the perfect size for picking up different sounds in the small areas of a child’s body.
The Littman Pediatric Stethoscope is light in weight and can easily fit in a pocket without being damaged. It has a total weight of approximately one pound. The stethoscope is packaged securely so that it stays in a good condition for continued use.
Pros
- It has true pediatric sizing
- It is durable
- Cheap stethoscope
- A pretty stethoscope as it’s available in a variety of colors
- Its chest piece is dual-sided
- It has excellent acoustics
Cons
- It pinches the user’s ears a few times
- It is difficult to use on older kids
Check Littmann Pediatric Stethoscope Reviews and Prices on Amazon
#Ultrascope Pediatric Stethoscope
The Ultrascope Pediatric Stethoscope comes at an excellent price range. However, it is often overlooked because its chest piece has a single head. Once you get the pressure and placement right, the stethoscope becomes pressure sensitive and offers good quality acoustics.
The stethoscope for pediatrics is available in several playful color variations for children. It works well when it comes to listening to the patient’s heart and lungs. Though the product comes in a smaller package than most stethoscopes, it also weighs less and is properly protected from any damage.
Pros
- Light in weight (weighs less than 6 ounces)
- Works well for children and animals
- Its price is perfect for the quality of sound it provides
- Has excellent acoustics
Cons
- The product is not as durable as the other brands
- Almost very lightweight
Check Ultrascope Pediatric Stethoscope Reviews and Prices on Amazon
#MDF Dual Head Pediatric Stethoscope
The MDF pediatric stethoscope very affordable. However, it has a few drawbacks when it comes to its weight. The earpiece and neck of the stethoscope tend to tangle. Therefore, they have to be straightened before every use.
The quality of the MDF infant stethoscope is great. However, sometimes it is difficult to have it functioning as desired. The color choices are quite limited compared to other stethoscope brands. Its rim is not chill-free as required for the comfort of much younger patients.
The stethoscope is packed well for shipping, protecting it from any damages that may occur. It is much lighter in weight than other brands. This makes it easy to tangle and thus it becomes difficult to stow in pockets.
Pros
- It is affordable
- Has great acoustics (only when available)
- Has a dual head chest piece
Cons
- Color choices are limited
- Tends to get tangled
- Difficult to get clear acoustics when tangled
You can buy the device here on Amazon or MDF website.
Check MDF Pediatric Stethoscope Reviews and Prices on MDF Website
#Welch-Allyn-Harvey Elite Pediatric Stethoscope
Although the Welch-Allyn-Harvey pediatric stethoscope has great performance, its drawbacks come about in its price, weight and lack of color choices. The stethoscope also does not have a chill rim. This makes it difficult to maintain a tolerable temperature for younger patients.
The Welch-Allyn Harvey pediatric stethoscope has great acoustics for listening to the heart, chest and stomach.
Pros
- Has the perfect size for pediatric use
- Its tubes are separate and offer high-quality acoustics
- Fits comfortably in the ears
- Made of durable material
Cons
- Limited color choices
- Not very affordable
Check Welch-Allyn-Harvey Pediatric Stethoscope Reviews and Prices on Amazon
Verdict: Best Pediatric Stethoscope
If you are looking for the best pediatric stethoscope, the 3M Littman Classic II is a perfect choice. It is not very affordable, but it delivers tremendously for its price. The stethoscope has excellent acoustics, comes in various child-friendly colors and its weight is quite comfortable.
You can buy the Littmann neonatal stethoscope at Amazon.
